Forced-Air Drying Cabinet, System, and Computer Program Product for Drying Endoscopes

ABSTRACT

Described are a forced-air drying cabinet, system, and computer program product for drying endoscopes. The system includes a forced-air drying cabinet and a local control device associated with the cabinet. The cabinet includes an inner area accessible by a door, a signal receiving device, and a drying manifold including a compressor. The cabinet also includes an airflow output connected to the drying manifold, a support arrangement, and a visual indicator. The control device is configured to receive a signal from a signal emitting member associated with an endoscope, determine a drying protocol for the endoscope based on the signal, and identify the support arrangement to support the endoscope based on the drying protocol. The control device is also configured to control the visual indicator associated with the support arrangement, and initiate a drying process by causing the compressor to create an airflow from the airflow output through the endoscope.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/880,745, filed Aug. 4, 2022, entitled “System, Method, and ComputerProgram Product for Tracking Endoscopes in a Forced-Air Drying Cabinet”,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/591,836,filed Oct. 3, 2019, entitled “System, Method, and Computer ProgramProduct for Tracking Endoscopes in a Forced-Air Drying Cabinet,” whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,437,138 on Sep. 6, 2022, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/745,821, filedOct. 15, 2018, entitled “System, Method, and Computer Program Productfor Tracking Endoscopes in a Forced-Air Drying Cabinet,” the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

Disclosed embodiments relate generally to medical device storagearrangements, and in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, to asystem, method, and computer program product for tracking endoscopeswithin an endoscope storage and drying cabinet, particularly for thetracking, initiation, and verification of reprocessing and dryingprocedures.

Technical Considerations

Presently, in the health care industry, complex and expensive equipmentand systems are utilized in the diagnosis and care process. As thedevelopment of this equipment and associated systems continues, thenecessity to monitor and track the usage is of the utmost importance.Some medical equipment, such as endoscopes, are expensive and reusabledevices that are reprocessed between patient uses. As such, there is aneed to track the equipment within and between medical spaces, as wellas to verify that the equipment has undergone the appropriatereprocessing. Manual documentation by medical personnel can be bothcumbersome and untrustworthy, and the tracking process can become amonumental task due to equipment volume and variety.

Endoscopes, in particular, are subject to a rigorous reprocessing anddrying procedure. Reprocessing generally involves the cleaning andsanitizing of the endoscope, which will leave the endoscope in a wet ordamp state. Prior to reuse in a procedure, the endoscopes are stored,preferably in a drying cabinet. It would be advantageous if the trackingof endoscopes from one station to another, and within the storagecabinets, were to be automated. Example endoscope storage cabinettracking systems, and cabinets and tracking devices therein, aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,414,471 and 8,992,416, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Hang-drying has drawbacks, principally by being slow and/or imprecise,which may lead to incomplete drying. Incompletely dried endoscopes aremore prone to bacterial or fungal growths on stored equipment. Moreover,liquid from within and on hang-dried endoscopes will tend to pool belowthe bottom outlet of the endoscope, generally on the floor of thecabinet. Some drying cabinets may incorporate ceiling or floor fans topush air through the volume of the cabinet, which helps with the dryingprocess, but this process can be inefficient, as some already driedendoscopes may be continually aired despite not needing further drying.

There is a need in the art for an efficient and automated drying systemfor inner-endoscope forced-air drying cabinets. In particular, there isa need for a system to automatically track endoscopes around and withindrying cabinets, and in particular to track the progress and position ofendoscopes in a drying system therein. There is a need for the automatedsystem to automatically determine the position and arrangement of anendoscope in the drying system, particularly based on differentendoscope types and varied drying protocols.

SUMMARY

According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is animproved system, computer-implemented method, and computer programproduct for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air drying cabinet. Themethod may include receiving a signal from a signal emitting memberattached to and associated with an endoscope. The method may alsoinclude determining an identifier and a drying protocol of theendoscope. The method may further include identifying a supportarrangement to support the endoscope and determining a connection statusof one or more inner channels of the endoscope to a first airflow outputand a second airflow output. The method may further include initiating adrying process, when the endoscope is connected, according to the dryingprotocol by causing a compressor to create at least one airflow throughthe endoscope from the first airflow output, the second airflow output,or a combination thereof.

According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is acomputer-implemented method for tracking at least one endoscope in aforced-air drying cabinet that may include at least one compressor, atleast one support arrangement, and an inner area accessible by at leastone door. The method may include receiving, with at least one processor,at least one signal from at least one signal emitting member attached toor associated with the at least one endoscope. The method may alsoinclude determining, with at least one processor and based at leastpartially on the at least one signal, at least one identifier of the atleast one endoscope. The method may further include determining, with atleast one processor, at least one drying protocol for the at least oneendoscope based at least partially on the at least one identifier of theat least one endoscope. The at least one drying protocol may include atleast one of the following: at least one airflow duration, at least oneairflow pressure, at least one airflow speed, at least one airflowtemperature, at least one airflow humidity, or any combination thereof.The method may further include identifying, with at least one processor,the at least one support arrangement to support the at least oneendoscope. The at least one support arrangement may be associated withat least one first airflow output and at least one second airflowoutput. The method may further include determining, with at least oneprocessor, at least one connection status indicative of whether at leastone first end of the at least one endoscope has been connected to the atleast one first airflow output and at least one second end of the atleast one endoscope has been connected to the at least one secondairflow output. The method may further include, in response to the atleast one connection status indicating the at least one endoscope hasbeen connected to the at least one first airflow output and the at leastone second airflow output, initiating, with at least one processor, atleast one drying process according to the at least one drying protocolfor the at least one endoscope by causing the at least one compressor tocreate at least one airflow through the at least one endoscope from theat least one first airflow output, the at least one second airflowoutput, or a combination thereof.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may includereceiving, with at least one processor, location data of the at leastone signal emitting member associated with the at least one endoscope.The method may include, in response to the location data including dataof at least one prior detection of the at least one signal emittingmember at an endoscope reprocessing system immediately precedingreceiving the at least one signal, determining, with at least oneprocessor, that the at least one endoscope has been cleaned. The methodmay include, in response to the location data not including data of atleast one prior detection of the at least one signal emitting member atan endoscope reprocessing system immediately preceding receiving the atleast one signal, determining, with at least one processor, that the atleast one endoscope has not been cleaned. The method may include, inresponse to determining that the at least one endoscope was not cleaned,generating, with at least one processor, at least one warningnotification at the forced-air drying cabinet. The method may include,in response to determining that the least one endoscope was not cleaned,activating, with at least one processor, at least one locking mechanismof the forced-air drying cabinet to prevent the at least one door frombeing opened until it is unlocked by a personnel.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include,prior to initiating the at least one drying protocol for the at leastone endoscope, verifying, with at least one processor, that the at leastone door is closed. The method may include, in response to determiningthat the at least one door is open: generating, with at least oneprocessor, at least one notification at the forced-air drying cabinetthat the at least one door is open; and waiting to initiate, with atleast one processor, the at least one drying protocol for the at leastone endoscope until the at least one door is closed.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one supportarrangement may include at least two support arrangements of differentconfigurations associated with at least two different types ofendoscope. The identifying the at least one support arrangement may bebased at least partially on the at least one identifier of the at leastone endoscope and may further include determining, with at least oneprocessor, a configuration of support arrangement required for the atleast one endoscope.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one dryingprotocol may include the at least one airflow duration. The method mayinclude: tracking, with at least one processor, at least one duration ofthe at least one endoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet; andcontrolling, with at least one processor, at least one time display toprovide at least one remaining drying time for the at least oneendoscope based at least partially on the at least one airflow durationof the at least one drying protocol in relation to the at least oneduration of the at least one endoscope being in the forced-air dryingcabinet. The method may include, in response to determining that the atleast one duration of the at least one endoscope being in the forced-airdrying cabinet satisfies at least one predetermined threshold for the atleast one endoscope, generating, with at least one processor, at leastone notification at the forced-air drying cabinet identifying the atleast one endoscope as requiring reprocessing.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the forced-air dryingcabinet may further include at least one visual indicator associatedwith the at least one support arrangement. The method may include, inresponse to identifying the at least one support arrangement to supportthe at least one endoscope, controlling, with at least one processor,the at least one visual indicator associated with the at least onesupport arrangement to direct personnel attention to the at least onesupport arrangement.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the determining the atleast one connection status may include evaluating, with at least oneprocessor, at least one outlet air pressure at the at least one firstairflow output associated with the at least one support arrangementidentified to support the at least one endoscope and at the at least onesecond airflow output associated with the at least one supportarrangement identified to support the at least one endoscope to at leastone predetermined threshold. The method may include, in response todetermining that the at least one connection status of the at least oneendoscope indicates that the at least one endoscope is not connected,controlling, with at least one processor, the at least one visualindicator associated with the at least one support arrangement toindicate that the at least one endoscope is not connected.

According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a systemthat may include a forced-air drying cabinet including at least onecompressor, at least one support arrangement, at least one first airflowoutput and at least one second airflow output associated with the atleast one support arrangement, and an inner area accessible by at leastone door. The at least one signal emitting member may be associated withat least one endoscope. The at least one server computer may include atleast one processor. The at least one server computer may be configuredto receive at least one signal from the at least one signal emittingmember. The at least one server computer may also be configured todetermine, based at least partially on the at least one signal, at leastone identifier of the at least one endoscope. The at least one servercomputer may further be configured to determine at least one dryingprotocol for the at least one endoscope based at least partially on theat least one identifier of the at least one endoscope. The at least onedrying protocol may include at least one of the following: at least oneairflow duration, at least one airflow pressure, at least one airflowspeed, at least one airflow temperature, at least one airflow humidity,or any combination thereof. The at least one server computer may befurther configured to identify the at least one support arrangement tosupport the at least one endoscope. The at least one server computer maybe further configured to determine at least one connection statusindicative of whether at least one first end of the at least oneendoscope has been connected to the at least one first airflow outputassociated with the at least one support arrangement and at least onesecond end of the at least one endoscope has been connected to the atleast one second airflow output associated with the at least one supportarrangement. The at least one server computer may be further configuredto, in response to the at least one connection status indicating the atleast one endoscope has been connected to the at least one first airflowoutput and the at least one second airflow output associated with the atleast one support arrangement, initiate at least one drying processaccording to the at least one drying protocol for the at least oneendoscope by causing the at least one compressor to create at least oneairflow through the at least one endoscope from the at least one firstairflow output, the at least one second airflow output, or a combinationthereof.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one servercomputer may be further configured to receive location data of the atleast one signal emitting member associated with the at least oneendoscope. The at least one server computer may be further configuredto, in response to the location data including data of at least oneprior detection of the at least one signal emitting member associatedwith the at least one endoscope at an endoscope reprocessing systemimmediately preceding receiving the at least one signal, determine thatthe at least one endoscope has been cleaned. The at least one servercomputer may be further configured to, in response to the location datanot including data of at least one prior detection of the at least onesignal emitting member associated with the at least one endoscope at anendoscope reprocessing system immediately preceding receiving the atleast one signal, determine that the at least one endo scope has notbeen cleaned. The at least one server computer may be further configuredto, in response to determining that the least one endoscope was notcleaned, generate at least one warning notification at the forced-airdrying cabinet. The at least one server computer may be furtherconfigured to, in response to determining that the least one endoscopewas not cleaned, activate at least one locking mechanism of theforced-air drying cabinet to prevent the at least one door from beingopened until it is unlocked by a personnel.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one servercomputer may be further configured to, prior to initiating the at leastone drying protocol for the at least one endoscope, verify that the atleast one door is closed. The at least one server computer may befurther configured to, in response to determining that the at least onedoor is open: generate at least one notification at the forced-airdrying cabinet that the at least one door is open; and wait to initiatethe at least one drying protocol for the at least one endoscope untilthe at least one door is closed.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one supportarrangement may include at least two support arrangements of differentconfigurations associated with at least two different types ofendoscope. Identifying the at least one support arrangement may be basedat least partially on the at least one identifier of the at least oneendoscope. The at least one server computer may be further configured todetermine a configuration of support arrangement required for the atleast one endoscope.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one dryingprotocol may include the at least one airflow duration. The at least oneserver computer may be further configured to: track at least oneduration of the at least one endoscope being in the forced-air dryingcabinet; and control at least one time display to provide at least oneremaining drying time for the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one airflow duration of the at least onedrying protocol in relation to the at least one duration of the at leastone endoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one servercomputer may be further configured to: in response to determining thatthe at least one duration of the at least one endoscope being in theforced-air drying cabinet satisfies at least one predetermined thresholdfor the at least one endoscope, generate at least one notification atthe forced-air drying cabinet identifying the at least one endoscope asrequiring reprocessing.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the forced-air dryingcabinet may include at least one visual indicator associated with the atleast one support arrangement. The at least one server computer may befurther configured to, in response to identifying the at least onesupport arrangement to support the at least one endoscope, control theat least one visual indicator associated with the at least one supportarrangement to direct personnel attention to the at least one supportarrangement.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, determining the at leastone connection status may include evaluating at least one outlet airpressure at the at least one first airflow output associated with the atleast one support arrangement identified to support the at least oneendoscope and at the at least one second airflow output associated withthe at least one support arrangement identified to support the at leastone endoscope to at least one predetermined threshold.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one servercomputer is further configured to, in response to determining that theat least one connection status of the at least one endoscope indicatesthat the at least one endoscope is not connected, control the at leastone visual indicator associated with the at least one supportarrangement identified to support the at least one endoscope to indicatethat the at least one endoscope is not connected.

According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computerprogram product for tracking at least one endoscope in a forced-airdrying cabinet having at least one compressor, at least one supportarrangement, and an inner area accessible by at least one door. Thecomputer program product may include at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium including program instructions that, whenexecuted by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor toreceive at least one signal from at least one signal emitting memberassociated with the at least one endoscope. The program instructions maycause the at least one processor to determine, based at least partiallyon the at least one signal, at least one identifier of the at least oneendoscope. The program instructions may also cause the at least oneprocessor to determine at least one drying protocol for the at least oneendoscope based at least partially on the at least one identifier of theat least one endoscope, the at least one drying protocol including atleast one of the following: at least one airflow duration, at least oneairflow pressure, at least one airflow speed, at least one airflowtemperature, at least one airflow humidity, or any combination thereof.The program instructions may further cause the at least one processor toidentify the at least one support arrangement to support the at leastone endoscope. The at least one support arrangement may be associatedwith at least one first airflow output and at least one second airflowoutput. The program instructions may further cause the at least oneprocessor to determine at least one connection status indicative ofwhether at least one first end of the at least one endoscope has beenconnected to the at least one first airflow output and at least onesecond end of the at least one endoscope has been connected to the atleast one second airflow output. The program instructions may furthercause the at least one processor to, in response to the at least oneconnection status indicating the at least one endoscope has beenconnected to the at least one first airflow output and the at least onesecond airflow output, initiate at least one drying process according tothe at least one drying protocol for the at least one endoscope bycausing the at least one compressor to create at least one airflowthrough the at least one endoscope from the at least one first airflowoutput, the at least one second airflow output, or a combinationthereof.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the program instructionsmay cause the at least one processor to receive location data of the atleast one signal emitting member associated with the at least oneendoscope. The program instructions may cause the at least one processorto, in response to the location data including data of at least oneprior detection of the at least one signal emitting member associatedwith the at least one endoscope at an endoscope reprocessing systemimmediately preceding receiving the at least one signal, determine thatthe at least one endoscope has been cleaned. The program instructionsmay cause the at least one processor to, in response to the locationdata not including data of at least one prior detection of the at leastone signal emitting member associated with the at least one endoscope atan endoscope reprocessing system immediately preceding receiving the atleast one signal, determine that the at least one endoscope has not beencleaned. The program instructions may cause the at least one processorto, in response to determining that the at least one endoscope was notcleaned, generate at least one warning notification at the forced-airdrying cabinet. The program instructions may cause the at least oneprocessor to, in response to determining that the least one endoscopewas not cleaned, activate at least one locking mechanism of theforced-air drying cabinet to prevent the at least one door from beingopened until it is unlocked by a personnel.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the program instructionsmay cause the at least one processor to, prior to initiating the atleast one drying protocol for the at least one endoscope, verify thatthe at least one door is closed. The program instructions may cause theat least one processor to, in response to determining that the at leastone door is open: generate at least one notification at the forced-airdrying cabinet that the at least one door is open; and wait to initiatethe at least one drying protocol for the at least one endoscope untilthe at least one door is closed.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one supportarrangement may include at least two support arrangements of differentconfigurations associated with at least two different types ofendoscope. Identifying the at least one support arrangement may be basedat least partially on the at least one identifier of the at least oneendoscope. The program instructions may cause the at least one processorto determine a configuration of support arrangement required for the atleast one endoscope.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one dryingprotocol may include the at least one airflow duration. The programinstructions may cause the at least one processor to: track at least oneduration of the at least one endoscope being in the forced-air dryingcabinet; and control at least one time display to provide at least oneremaining drying time for the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one airflow duration of the at least onedrying protocol in relation to the at least one duration of the at leastone endoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, The program instructionsmay cause the at least one processor to, in response to determining thatthe at least one duration of the at least one endoscope being in theforced-air drying cabinet satisfies at least one predetermined thresholdfor the at least one endoscope, generate at least one notification atthe forced-air drying cabinet identifying the at least one endoscope asrequiring reprocessing.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the forced-air dryingcabinet may include at least one visual indicator associated with the atleast one support arrangement. The program instructions may cause the atleast one processor to, in response to identifying the at least onesupport arrangement to support the at least one endoscope, control theat least one visual indicator associated with the at least one supportarrangement to direct personnel attention to the at least one supportarrangement.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, determining the at leastone connection status may include evaluating at least one outlet airpressure at the at least one first airflow output associated with the atleast one support arrangement identified to support the at least oneendoscope and at the at least one second airflow output associated withthe at least one support arrangement identified to support the at leastone endoscope to at least one predetermined threshold.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the program instructionsmay cause the at least one processor to, in response to determining thatthe at least one connection status of the at least one endoscopeindicates that the at least one endoscope is not connected, control theat least one visual indicator associated with the at least one supportarrangement identified to support the at least one endoscope to indicatethat the at least one endoscope is not connected.

Further non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosurewill be set forth in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1: A computer-implemented method for tracking at least oneendoscope in a forced-air drying cabinet comprising at least onecompressor, at least one support arrangement, and an inner areaaccessible by at least one door, the method comprising: receiving, withat least one processor, at least one signal from at least one signalemitting member attached to or associated with the at least oneendoscope; determining, with at least one processor and based at leastpartially on the at least one signal, at least one identifier of the atleast one endoscope; determining, with at least one processor, at leastone drying protocol for the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one identifier of the at least one endoscope,the at least one drying protocol comprising at least one of thefollowing: at least one airflow duration, at least one airflow pressure,at least one airflow speed, at least one airflow temperature, at leastone airflow humidity, or any combination thereof; identifying, with atleast one processor, the at least one support arrangement to support theat least one endoscope, the at least one support arrangement associatedwith at least one first airflow output and at least one second airflowoutput; determining, with at least one processor, at least oneconnection status indicative of whether at least one first end of the atleast one endoscope has been connected to the at least one first airflowoutput and at least one second end of the at least one endoscope hasbeen connected to the at least one second airflow output; and, inresponse to the at least one connection status indicating the at leastone endoscope has been connected to the at least one first airflowoutput and the at least one second airflow output, initiating, with atleast one processor, at least one drying process according to the atleast one drying protocol for the at least one endoscope by causing theat least one compressor to create at least one airflow through the atleast one endoscope from the at least one first airflow output, the atleast one second airflow output, or a combination thereof.

Clause 2: The computer-implemented method of clause 1, furthercomprising: receiving, with at least one processor, location data of theat least one signal emitting member associated with the at least oneendoscope; in response to the location data comprising data of at leastone prior detection of the at least one signal emitting member at anendoscope reprocessing system immediately preceding receiving the atleast one signal, determining, with at least one processor, that the atleast one endoscope has been cleaned; and, in response to the locationdata not comprising data of at least one prior detection of the at leastone signal emitting member at an endoscope reprocessing systemimmediately preceding receiving the at least one signal, determining,with at least one processor, that the at least one endoscope has notbeen cleaned.

Clause 3: The computer-implemented method of clause 1 or clause 2,further comprising, in response to determining that the at least oneendoscope was not cleaned, generating, with at least one processor, atleast one warning notification at the forced-air drying cabinet.

Clause 4: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-3, furthercomprising, in response to determining that the least one endoscope wasnot cleaned, activating, with at least one processor, at least onelocking mechanism of the forced-air drying cabinet to prevent the atleast one door from being opened until it is unlocked by a personnel.

Clause 5: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-4, furthercomprising prior to initiating the at least one drying protocol for theat least one endoscope, verifying, with at least one processor, that theat least one door is closed.

Clause 6: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-5, furthercomprising, in response to determining that the at least one door isopen: generating, with at least one processor, at least one notificationat the forced-air drying cabinet that the at least one door is open; andwaiting to initiate, with at least one processor, the at least onedrying protocol for the at least one endoscope until the at least onedoor is closed.

Clause 7: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-6, whereinthe at least one support arrangement comprises at least two supportarrangements of different configurations associated with at least twodifferent types of endoscope, and wherein the identifying the at leastone support arrangement is based at least partially on the at least oneidentifier of the at least one endoscope and further comprisesdetermining, with at least one processor, a configuration of supportarrangement required for the at least one endoscope.

Clause 8: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-7, whereinthe at least one drying protocol comprises the at least one airflowduration, the method further comprising: tracking, with at least oneprocessor, at least one duration of the at least one endoscope being inthe forced-air drying cabinet; and controlling, with at least oneprocessor, at least one time display to provide at least one remainingdrying time for the at least one endoscope based at least partially onthe at least one airflow duration of the at least one drying protocol inrelation to the at least one duration of the at least one endoscopebeing in the forced-air drying cabinet.

Clause 9: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-8, furthercomprising: in response to determining that the at least one duration ofthe at least one endoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinetsatisfies at least one predetermined threshold for the at least oneendoscope, generating, with at least one processor, at least onenotification at the forced-air drying cabinet identifying the at leastone endoscope as requiring reprocessing.

Clause 10: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-9,wherein the forced-air drying cabinet further comprises at least onevisual indicator associated with the at least one support arrangement,the method further comprising: in response to identifying the at leastone support arrangement to support the at least one endoscope,controlling, with at least one processor, the at least one visualindicator associated with the at least one support arrangement to directpersonnel attention to the at least one support arrangement.

Clause 11: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-10,wherein the determining the at least one connection status comprisesevaluating, with at least one processor, at least one outlet airpressure at the at least one first airflow output associated with the atleast one support arrangement identified to support the at least oneendoscope and at the at least one second airflow output associated withthe at least one support arrangement identified to support the at leastone endoscope to at least one predetermined threshold.

Clause 12: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-11,further comprising, in response to determining that the at least oneconnection status of the at least one endoscope indicates that the atleast one endoscope is not connected, controlling, with at least oneprocessor, the at least one visual indicator associated with the atleast one support arrangement to indicate that the at least oneendoscope is not connected.

Clause 13: A system comprising: a forced-air drying cabinet comprisingat least one compressor, at least one support arrangement, at least onefirst airflow output and at least one second airflow output associatedwith the at least one support arrangement, and an inner area accessibleby at least one door; at least one signal emitting member associatedwith at least one endoscope; at least one server computer comprising atleast one processor, the at least one server computer configured to:receive at least one signal from the at least one signal emittingmember; determine, based at least partially on the at least one signal,at least one identifier of the at least one endoscope; determine atleast one drying protocol for the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one identifier of the at least one endoscope,the at least one drying protocol comprising at least one of thefollowing: at least one airflow duration, at least one airflow pressure,at least one airflow speed, at least one airflow temperature, at leastone airflow humidity, or any combination thereof; identify the at leastone support arrangement to support the at least one endoscope; determineat least one connection status indicative of whether at least one firstend of the at least one endoscope has been connected to the at least onefirst airflow output associated with the at least one supportarrangement and at least one second end of the at least one endoscopehas been connected to the at least one second airflow output associatedwith the at least one support arrangement; and in response to the atleast one connection status indicating the at least one endoscope hasbeen connected to the at least one first airflow output and the at leastone second airflow output associated with the at least one supportarrangement, initiate at least one drying process according to the atleast one drying protocol for the at least one endoscope by causing theat least one compressor to create at least one airflow through the atleast one endoscope from the at least one first airflow output, the atleast one second airflow output, or a combination thereof.

Clause 14: The system of clause 13, wherein the at least one servercomputer is further configured to: receive location data of the at leastone signal emitting member associated with the at least one endoscope;in response to the location data comprising data of at least one priordetection of the at least one signal emitting member associated with theat least one endoscope at an endoscope reprocessing system immediatelypreceding receiving the at least one signal, determine that the at leastone endoscope has been cleaned; and, in response to the location datanot comprising data of at least one prior detection of the at least onesignal emitting member associated with the at least one endoscope at anendoscope reprocessing system immediately preceding receiving the atleast one signal, determine that the at least one endoscope has not beencleaned.

Clause 15: The system of clause 13 or clause 14, wherein the at leastone server computer is further configured to, in response to determiningthat the least one endoscope was not cleaned, generate at least onewarning notification at the forced-air drying cabinet.

Clause 16: The system of any of clauses 13-15, wherein the at least oneserver computer is further configured to, in response to determiningthat the least one endoscope was not cleaned, activate at least onelocking mechanism of the forced-air drying cabinet to prevent the atleast one door from being opened until it is unlocked by a personnel.

Clause 17: The system of any of clauses 13-16, wherein the at least oneserver computer is further configured to, prior to initiating the atleast one drying protocol for the at least one endoscope, verify thatthe at least one door is closed.

Clause 18: The system of any of clauses 13-17, wherein the at least oneserver computer is further configured to, in response to determiningthat the at least one door is open: generate at least one notificationat the forced-air drying cabinet that the at least one door is open; andwait to initiate the at least one drying protocol for the at least oneendoscope until the at least one door is closed.

Clause 19: The system of any of clauses 13-18, wherein the at least onesupport arrangement comprises at least two support arrangements ofdifferent configurations associated with at least two different types ofendoscope, wherein identifying the at least one support arrangement isbased at least partially on the at least one identifier of the at leastone endoscope, and wherein the at least one server computer is furtherconfigured to determine a configuration of support arrangement requiredfor the at least one endoscope.

Clause 20: The system of any of clauses 13-19, wherein the at least onedrying protocol comprises the at least one airflow duration, and whereinthe at least one server computer is further configured to: track atleast one duration of the at least one endoscope being in the forced-airdrying cabinet; and control at least one time display to provide atleast one remaining drying time for the at least one endoscope based atleast partially on the at least one airflow duration of the at least onedrying protocol in relation to the at least one duration of the at leastone endoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet.

Clause 21: The system of any of clauses 13-20, wherein the at least oneserver computer is further configured to: in response to determiningthat the at least one duration of the at least one endoscope being inthe forced-air drying cabinet satisfies at least one predeterminedthreshold for the at least one endoscope, generate at least onenotification at the forced-air drying cabinet identifying the at leastone endoscope as requiring reprocessing.

Clause 22: The system of any of clauses 13-21, wherein the forced-airdrying cabinet further comprises at least one visual indicatorassociated with the at least one support arrangement, and the at leastone server computer is further configured to: in response to identifyingthe at least one support arrangement to support the at least oneendoscope, control the at least one visual indicator associated with theat least one support arrangement to direct personnel attention to the atleast one support arrangement.

Clause 23: The system of any of clauses 13-22, wherein determining theat least one connection status comprises evaluating at least one outletair pressure at the at least one first airflow output associated withthe at least one support arrangement identified to support the at leastone endoscope and at the at least one second airflow output associatedwith the at least one support arrangement identified to support the atleast one endoscope to at least one predetermined threshold.

Clause 24: The system of any of clauses 13-23, wherein the at least oneserver computer is further configured to, in response to determiningthat the at least one connection status of the at least one endoscopeindicates that the at least one endoscope is not connected, control theat least one visual indicator associated with the at least one supportarrangement identified to support the at least one endoscope to indicatethat the at least one endoscope is not connected.

Clause 25: A computer program product for tracking at least oneendoscope in a forced-air drying cabinet comprising at least onecompressor, at least one support arrangement, and an inner areaaccessible by at least one door, the computer program product comprisingat least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including programinstructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the atleast one processor to: receive at least one signal from at least onesignal emitting member associated with the at least one endoscope;determine, based at least partially on the at least one signal, at leastone identifier of the at least one endoscope; determine at least onedrying protocol for the at least one endoscope based at least partiallyon the at least one identifier of the at least one endoscope, the atleast one drying protocol comprising at least one of the following: atleast one airflow duration, at least one airflow pressure, at least oneairflow speed, at least one airflow temperature, at least one airflowhumidity, or any combination thereof; identify the at least one supportarrangement to support the at least one endoscope, the at least onesupport arrangement associated with at least one first airflow outputand at least one second airflow output; determine at least oneconnection status indicative of whether at least one first end of the atleast one endoscope has been connected to the at least one first airflowoutput and at least one second end of the at least one endoscope hasbeen connected to the at least one second airflow output; and, inresponse to the at least one connection status indicating the at leastone endoscope has been connected to the at least one first airflowoutput and the at least one second airflow output, initiate at least onedrying process according to the at least one drying protocol for the atleast one endoscope by causing the at least one compressor to create atleast one airflow through the at least one endoscope from the at leastone first airflow output, the at least one second airflow output, or acombination thereof.

Clause 26: The computer program product of clause 25, wherein theprogram instructions further cause the at least one processor to:receive location data of the at least one signal emitting memberassociated with the at least one endoscope; in response to the locationdata comprising data of at least one prior detection of the at least onesignal emitting member associated with the at least one endoscope at anendoscope reprocessing system immediately preceding receiving the atleast one signal, determine that the at least one endoscope has beencleaned; and, in response to the location data not comprising data of atleast one prior detection of the at least one signal emitting memberassociated with the at least one endoscope at an endoscope reprocessingsystem immediately preceding receiving the at least one signal,determine that the at least one endoscope has not been cleaned.

Clause 27: The computer program product of clause 25 or clause 26,wherein the program instructions further cause the at least oneprocessor to, in response to determining that the at least one endoscopewas not cleaned, generate at least one warning notification at theforced-air drying cabinet.

Clause 28: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-27, whereinthe program instructions further cause the at least one processor to, inresponse to determining that the least one endoscope was not cleaned,activate at least one locking mechanism of the forced-air drying cabinetto prevent the at least one door from being opened until it is unlockedby a personnel.

Clause 29: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-28, whereinthe program instructions further cause the at least one processor to,prior to initiating the at least one drying protocol for the at leastone endoscope, verify that the at least one door is closed.

Clause 30: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-29, whereinthe program instructions further cause the at least one processor to, inresponse to determining that the at least one door is open: generate atleast one notification at the forced-air drying cabinet that the atleast one door is open; and wait to initiate the at least one dryingprotocol for the at least one endoscope until the at least one door isclosed.

Clause 31: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-30, whereinthe at least one support arrangement comprises at least two supportarrangements of different configurations associated with at least twodifferent types of endoscope, wherein identifying the at least onesupport arrangement is based at least partially on the at least oneidentifier of the at least one endoscope, and wherein the programinstructions further cause the at least one processor to determine aconfiguration of support arrangement required for the at least oneendoscope.

Clause 32: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-31, whereinthe at least one drying protocol comprises the at least one airflowduration, and wherein the program instructions further cause the atleast one processor to: track at least one duration of the at least oneendoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet; and control at leastone time display to provide at least one remaining drying time for theat least one endoscope based at least partially on the at least oneairflow duration of the at least one drying protocol in relation to theat least one duration of the at least one endoscope being in theforced-air drying cabinet.

Clause 33: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-32, whereinthe program instructions further cause the at least one processor to: inresponse to determining that the at least one duration of the at leastone endoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet satisfies at leastone predetermined threshold for the at least one endoscope, generate atleast one notification at the forced-air drying cabinet identifying theat least one endoscope as requiring reprocessing.

Clause 34: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-33, whereinthe forced-air drying cabinet further comprises at least one visualindicator associated with the at least one support arrangement, and theprogram instructions further cause the at least one processor to: inresponse to identifying the at least one support arrangement to supportthe at least one endoscope, control the at least one visual indicatorassociated with the at least one support arrangement to direct personnelattention to the at least one support arrangement.

Clause 35: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-34, whereindetermining the at least one connection status comprises evaluating atleast one outlet air pressure at the at least one first airflow outputassociated with the at least one support arrangement identified tosupport the at least one endoscope and at the at least one secondairflow output associated with the at least one support arrangementidentified to support the at least one endoscope to at least onepredetermined threshold.

Clause 36: The computer program product of any of clauses 25-35, whereinthe program instructions further cause the at least one processor to, inresponse to determining that the at least one connection status of theat least one endoscope indicates that the at least one endoscope is notconnected, control the at least one visual indicator associated with theat least one support arrangement identified to support the at least oneendoscope to indicate that the at least one endoscope is not connected.

These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description, and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. Asused in the specification and the claims, the singular forms of “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional advantages and details of the disclosure are explained ingreater detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments thatare illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one non-limiting embodiment or aspectof a system and method for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air dryingcabinet;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one non-limiting embodiment or aspectof a system and method for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air dryingcabinet;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one non-limiting embodiment or aspectof a system and method for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air dryingcabinet; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one non-limiting embodiment or aspectof a system and method for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air dryingcabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”,“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”,“longitudinal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to non-limitingembodiments as they are oriented in the drawing figures. However, it isto be understood that the non-limiting embodiments may assume variousalternative variations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification, are simply exemplaryembodiments. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting. Also, it should be understood that anynumerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-rangessubsumed therein. For example, a range of 1 to 10 is intended to includeall sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum valueequal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than10.

As used herein, the terms “communication” and “communicate” refer to thereceipt or transfer of one or more signals, messages, commands, or othertype of data. For one unit (e.g., any device, system, or componentthereof) to be in communication with another unit means that the oneunit is able to directly or indirectly receive data from and/or transmitdata to the other unit. This may refer to a direct or indirectconnection that is wired and/or wireless in nature. Additionally, twounits may be in communication with each other, even though the datatransmitted may be modified, processed, relayed, and/or routed betweenthe first and second unit. For example, a first unit may be incommunication with a second unit, even though the first unit passivelyreceives data and does not actively transmit data to the second unit. Asanother example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unitif an intermediary unit processes data from one unit and transmitsprocessed data to the second unit.

As used herein, the term “mobile device” may refer to one or moreportable electronic devices configured to communicate with one or morenetworks. As an example, a mobile device may include a cellular phone(e.g., a smartphone or standard cellular phone), a portable computer(e.g., a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc.), a wearable device(e.g., a watch, pair of glasses, lens, clothing, and/or the like), apersonal digital assistant (PDA), and/or other like devices.

As used herein, the term “server” may refer to or include one or moreprocessors or computers, storage devices, or similar computerarrangements that are operated by or facilitate communication andprocessing for multiple parties in a network environment, such as theinternet. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, communication maybe facilitated over one or more public or private network environmentsand that various other arrangements are possible. Further, multiplecomputers, e.g., servers, or other computerized devices, e.g., mobiledevices, directly or indirectly communicating in the network environmentmay constitute a system, such as a hospital storage monitoring system.Reference to a server or a processor, as used herein, may refer to apreviously-recited server and/or processor that is recited as performinga previous step or function, a different server and/or processor, and/ora combination of servers and/or processors. For example, as used in thespecification and the claims, a first server and/or a first processorthat is recited as performing a first step or function may refer to thesame or different server and/or a processor recited as performing asecond step or function. A server that is “configured” to perform theone or more steps of a process may be understood to refer to eitherhardware or software configurations, such as programming, networkconnections, and/or the like.

As used herein, the term “identifier” may refer to any electronic meansof identifying an object, process, place, or other parameter thereof. Anidentifier may be an attribute, number, string, token, analog signal,digital signal, and/or the like. It will be appreciated that manyvariations are possible.

As used herein, the term “endoscope” may refer to an instrument that canbe introduced into the body to give a view of its internal parts. Forexample, an endoscope may be an optical instrument with a slender,tubular form.

As used herein, the term “reprocessing,” in relation to endoscopes, mayrefer to a cleaning and/or treatment process that is useful forultimately rendering the endoscope disinfected and ready for reuse.“Reprocessing systems” may include machines and/or processes thatprovide for reprocessing of endoscopes. Reprocessing systems may provideany number of steps, including, but not limited to pre-cleaning (e.g.,rinsing with a fluid after an endoscopic procedure to prevent theformation of biofilm), leak-testing (e.g., introducing a fluid to detectany damage to external surfaces or internal channels that may result ininadequate disinfection or damage to an endoscope), cleaning (e.g.,brushing and flushing of channels and ports, such as to remove residualorganic material), inspection (e.g., visually determining that theendoscope is clean and free of defects), and disinfection/sterilization(e.g., introducing chemicals or sterilants, such as through automatedendoscope reprocessors).

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the present disclosure isdirected to a system, method, and computer program product for trackingand managing medical equipment, namely endoscopes, in a forced-airdrying cabinet. The present disclosure provides advantages over theprior art by automatically determining endoscope types and appropriatestorage arrangements based on the endoscope type. In this manner,endoscopes will be connected and hung in arrangements deemed mostefficient for the drying of the endo scope, reducing drying time, energyconsumption, and likelihood of bacterial or fungal growth. Moreover, thepresent disclosure provides for the automatic determination of dryingprotocols for various types of endoscopes, based on one or morecustomizable parameters for the forced-air drying systems, and suchprotocols can be initiated and controlled based on the placement of theendoscope within the cabinet, again realizing energy and time savings.Scopes will, therefore, not be over- or under-dried. Furthermore, due tothe advantages of tracking the equipment both in and outside of thecabinet, the systems can identify unclean scopes or identify scopes thathave been stored for too long and, therefore, need reprocessing. Manyadvantages are provided by the present disclosure herein, includingthose described further below.

The present disclosure is directed to a storage cabinet and trackingsystem for use in connection with medical devices, e.g., an endoscope E.As is known, an endoscope E may include a first end E1 and a second endE2. The first end E1 of the endoscope E may include a main body EB, withan insertion tube ET1 and a connecting tube ET2 extending therefrom. Theconnecting tube ET2 connects and allows communication, e.g., electricalcommunication, between the main body EB (or its internal electricalcomponents) and a light source connector EC, which is located at thesecond end E2 of the endoscope E. The remaining electrical componentsand configuration of the endoscope E are well known in the art and thefield of medical diagnostic systems.

With specific reference to FIG. 1 , and in some non-limiting embodimentsor aspects, provided is an endoscope storage cabinet 10. The depictedendoscope storage cabinet 10 is configured or adapted for use inconnection with at least one endoscope E having at least one signalemitting member 12 attached to or associated therewith. The signalemitting member 12 is configured to emit a signal indicative of at leastone attribute of the endoscope E to which it is attached or associated.For example, the signal may indicate an endoscope identifier such as aserial number, a unique token, a scope type, a drying protocolidentifier, and/or the like. Further, the signal emitting member 12 maybe in the form of a tag, a transponder, a chip, or other signal emittingcomponent capable of emitting a signal that carries data, preferablydata associated with the item to which it is attached, i.e., theendoscope E. While, as discussed hereinafter, in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the signal emitting member 12 is a radiofrequency emitting device, it is envisioned that any emission/receivingstructure, arrangement, and system can be utilized without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the storage cabinet 10 may include an enclosedstructure 14 formed by walls 16 (upper, lower, and side) and a door 18.By using the door 18, one has access to an inner area 20 of the cabinet10. Of course, in place of the door 18, any access structure can beused, such as a panel, a sliding panel, a drawer, or the like. In theinner area 20 and attached directly or indirectly to at least one of thewalls 16 is at least one (and preferably multiple) support arrangements22 for supporting at least a portion of an endoscope E positionedthereon. Preferably, the support arrangements 22 are designed to supportthe endoscope E at its first end E1 by making at least partial contactwith the main body EB and the insertion tube ET1.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the storage cabinet 10 may further include atleast one signal receiving device 24 that is attached to or associatedwith the enclosed structure 14 and utilized to receive the signalemitted from the signal emitting member 12 (attached to the endoscopeE). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the signal receivingdevice 24 is a planar antenna 26 structure that is positioned at or neara lower area 28 of the enclosed structure 14. It will be appreciatedthat the planar antenna 26 also may be located elsewhere in the cabinet10, such as on or in the floor, the walls 16, or the ceiling. Two ormore antenna 26 may be provided and may be associated with one or moreendoscopes E supported by respective support arrangements 22. Inaddition, a local control device 30, e.g., a control processor, may beattached to, associated with, or integrated within the storage cabinet10, and this local control device 30 may be in communication with thesignal receiving devices 24 and used to receive and process the signalsemitted by the signal emitting members 12. It will be appreciated thatthe local control device 30 may be positioned on, in, or nearby thecabinet 10 provided with a communicative connection to the electronicstherein.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the local control device 30 may include avariety of electrical components, circuit boards, storage medium,computing devices, and/or the like for receiving and processing signalsand other data streams. Therefore, the local control device 30 may takea variety of forms. In one non-limiting embodiment, the local controldevice 30 may include a processor or other computing means, as well as atemporary or permanent storage medium for executing program instructionsand otherwise implementing the embedded, loaded, or received softwarecode. In addition, this local control device 30 may be used to interfacewith and/or control other electrical components and sub-systems withinthe cabinet 10. It will be appreciated that many configurations arepossible.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the door 18 may be locked by at least onelocking arrangement that is in direct or indirect communication with thelocal control device 30. For example, the cabinet 10 may be locked withan electrically-operated lock, actuated through application softwareembedded, or loaded on the local control device 30, thereby providingphysical security and preventing access to the inner area 20 of thecabinet 10. This locking arrangement can be “defeated” with akey-operated, manual override, if necessary. Otherwise, and as discussedhereinafter, some interface device can be provided to allow restricteduser access based upon user identification, authority levels,authentication systems, and the like. Further, the locking arrangementmay be controlled remotely by or through a central control device orremote computer.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the support arrangement 22 may be in the form ofprojecting members, which extend from an inner surface of a wall 16 ofthe enclosed structure 14. These projecting members may also be attachedto the wall 16 indirectly by first attaching a bracket to the wall 16,and the projecting members to the bracket. Further, in the depictednon-limiting embodiment, multiple support arrangements 22 are included,and each of these support arrangements 22 include a set of projectingmembers. It is further envisioned that some local locking device orarrangement can be used in connection with each support arrangement 22to provide additional security. For example, each of these local lockingarrangements could be electrically operated by or through the localcontrol device 30, thereby only selectively allowing certain endoscopesE within the cabinet 10 to be inserted or removed.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, one or more light members 52 can be provided,such as in the form of overhead lighting (e.g., light bars, light bulbs,LEDs, etc.) in the inner area 20 of the cabinet 10. In this embodiment,these light members 52 are managed through the software or other programinstructions on the local control device 30, or other electricalcomponent in the storage cabinet 10. For example, these light members 52may be colored lights, e.g., red lights that are turned on to indicate aproblem within the cabinet 10, or otherwise indicate some issue withinthe cabinet 10 or with the endoscopes E positioned in the cabinet 10.Still further, and as discussed, the electrical components can besituated above the enclosed structure 14 in a housing, which providesradio frequency shielding, and further allows for the maximization ofthe space in the inner area 20 of the enclosed structure 14 for thestorage of endoscopes E.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, provided are filtered vents 44 having fanswithin and on a sidewall of the cabinet 10 to provide for clean aircirculation within the cabinet 10 and outside the endoscopes E. Thefiltered vents 44 may also be positioned on the ceiling or floor of thecabinet. As discussed above, the endoscopes E are held securely, i.e.,in a vertical manner, in the cabinet 10, which may reduce the chances ofdamaging the expensive endoscopes E, and which allows for efficientdrying. The cabinet 10 may be manufactured from a secure andeasy-to-clean material, and the support arrangements 22 can bemanufactured from a non-abrading plastic. The asymmetric layout andpositioning of the support arrangements 22 may permit the endoscopes Eto be “pulled” into the hooks by gravity. Further, since the pitch isfixed, the endoscope E is prevented from swinging within the cabinet 10.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the door 18 may at least partially be formedfrom glass 62 for allowing a person to view its contents withoutrequiring access. Of course, if such visibility is not desired, the door18 can be made from any suitable opaque material or structure. Stillfurther, any of the portions of the walls 16 of the enclosed structure14, including the top, floor, side, etc., may be shielded to preventsignals emitted in the inner area 20 from escaping the cabinet 10(possibly causing interference with other devices and components).

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the cabinet 10 may further include a dryingsystem made up of one or more drying manifolds 70 a, 70 b. A dryingmanifold 70 a, 70 b may include one or more air filters, fans,compressors, pumps, and/or microcontrollers for pulling in air, directlyor indirectly via conduit, from either inside or outside the cabinet 10and forcing the air through the channels of an endoscope E to promoteefficient drying. The cabinet 10 may include a compressor 25 forproviding an airflow to the drying manifolds 70 a, 70 b frominside/outside the cabinet 10. The compressor 25 may include a HEPAfilter for purifying the airflow used to dry the interior channels ofthe endoscopes E. The compressor 25 may also be any sufficient fan,pump, or airflow mechanism to create an airflow. The compressor 25 isdepicted as being located at the bottom of the cabinet 10, but thecompressor 25 may be located elsewhere in or on the cabinet 10, orotherwise provided integrally with the drying manifolds 70 a, 70 b (asone or many compressors 25). A drying manifold 70 a, 70 b may beprogrammed and/or configured to be controlled by a local control device30 to carry out a drying protocol for an endoscope E. A drying protocolmay include the rules/parameters for the drying process of an endoscopeE, which may include, but are not limited to, airflow duration, airflowtemperature, airflow humidity, airflow speed, airflow pressure, airflowfiltration level, maximum time allowed before reprocessing, and/or thelike. Although FIGS. 1-4 depict some non-limiting embodiments or aspectshaving an upper drying manifold 70 a and a lower drying manifold 70 b,it will be appreciated that one or more manifolds may be employed in anyposition within the cabinet 10. It will also be appreciated that all ora part of the body of the manifolds 70 a, 70 b may be positioned outsidethe walls 16 of the cabinet 10.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, provided is an array of one or more upperairflow outputs 72, each for connection to a first end E1 of anendoscope E, and an array of one or more lower airflow outputs 74, eachfor connection to a second end E2 of an endoscope E. Each airflow output72, 74 directs air from its associated drying manifold 70 a, 70 b andinto a channel of an endoscope E via an airflow connection to theendoscope E. In the non-limiting embodiment depicted, each upper airflowoutput 72 is connected to the upper drying manifold 70 a, and each lowerairflow output 74 is connected to the lower drying manifold 70 b. Itwill be appreciated that the airflow outputs 72, 74 may be connected toany number of same or different drying manifolds 70 a, 70 b within thecabinet 10. Each drying manifold 70 a, 70 b may include, for eachairflow output 72, 74, a user control input 76, e.g., a button, aswitch, a touchpad, and/or the like, for manually initiating, pausing,stopping, controlling, or modifying the drying protocol for an endoscopeE connected to the manifold 70 a, 70 b via an airflow output 72, 74.Each manifold 70 a, 70 b may also include, for each airflow output 74,76, one or more visual indicators 78, e.g., an LED, a screen, a timerdisplay, and/or the like, to indicate one or more statuses of the dryingprotocol for a connected endoscope E. For example, the visual indicators78 may include LED lights, wherein an LED light corresponding to anairflow output 72, 74 may glow red when the airflow connection to theendoscope E is faulty, or may glow green when the airflow connection tothe endoscope E is properly established. In another example, the visualindicators 78 may include a timer display showing the length of timeeach endoscope E has been connected to a drying manifold 70 a, 70 b. Itwill be appreciated that many configurations are possible.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the tracking system, using the signal receivingmember 24 and the signal emitting members 12 on each endoscope E, mayprovide customized tracking and interaction vis-à-vis the drying system,which may include the drying manifolds 70 a, 70 b. As a user approachesthe drying cabinet 10 with an endoscope E, or introduces an endoscope Einto the inner space 20 of the drying cabinet 10, the signal emittingmember 12 may be detected by the signal receiving member 24. The localcomputing device 30 (or a central computing device or controller) maydetermine, based at least partially on the signal received from thesignal emitting member 12, an identifier of the introduced endoscope E.All or part of the signal may carry the identifier, or a tokenassociated with an identifier. The signal may also be encrypted. Theidentifier may be an identifier for the signal emitting member 12itself, which may be looked up in a database to determine furtherinformation, such as the type of endoscope E that the signal emittingmember 12 is attached to, the drying protocol for the associatedendoscope E, and/or the like. The identifier may also be an identifierfor the endoscope E itself, which may provide more immediatedetermination of the endoscope E type and drying protocol. Theidentifier may also be an identifier for the drying protocol that isappropriate for the associated endoscope E. Many configurations arepossible. Based at least partially on the identifier, the localcomputing device 30 (or a central computing device or controller) maydetermine the drying protocol for the endoscope E. For example, a dryingprotocol associated with the identifier may be determined from a lookuptable in a communicatively connected database. Many configurations arepossible.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the local computing device 30 (or a centralcomputing device or controller) may identify a specific supportarrangement 22 in the cabinet 10 for the user to place the endoscope Eon for storage and drying. The support arrangement 22 may be identifiedbased on one or more parameters including, but not limited to,availability (based on a support arrangement 22 not already beingoccupied by an endoscope E), airflow output 72, 74 configuration (basedon the type of connectors of the endoscope E and the types of connectorsof the airflow outputs 72, 74 corresponding to the position of thesupport arrangement 22), drying protocol (based on the type of endoscopeE and the configuration of the manifolds 70 a, 70 b and/or airflowoutputs 72, 74), a predetermined/preset loading order (based on auser-input criteria for storage flow, e.g., load on farthest left hookavailable, load on nearest hook to most recent last entered endoscope E,load on hook farthest from other endoscopes E, etc.), and/or the like.More than one support arrangement 22 may be provided to accommodate twoor more types of endoscopes E, based on support position (e.g., ceiling,wall, height from ground, etc.), position and configuration of airflowoutputs 72, 74 (e.g., size of output, airflow rate of output, size ofoutput connector, etc.), size and shape of the endoscope E, and thelike. The local computing device 30 may matching endoscopes E withcompatible support arrangements 22 based on an identifier of each signalemitting member 12 attached to each endoscope E. The local computingdevice 30 (or a central computing device or controller) may alsodetermine a connection status indicative of whether the endoscope E hasbeen properly connected to the airflow outputs 72, 74 associated withthe identified support arrangement. The connection status may bedetermined by temporarily activating airflow at the upper airflow output72 and the lower airflow output 74 and evaluating the air pressure ofthe connections. When an endoscope E is connected to an airflow output72, 74, the air pressure required to create an airflow out of theairflow output 72, 74 would increase due to the length of endoscope Echannel through which the airflow travels. A threshold air pressure maybe predetermined by measuring air pressure at the airflow outputs 72, 74when an endoscope E is verified to be properly connected. The thresholdair pressure may also be set at an engineering factor above or below theaverage expected value of air pressure at an airflow output 72, 74.During use, the actual air pressure at the airflow outputs 72, 74 may becompared to the threshold air pressure, and if the actual air pressurefor an airflow output 72, 74 is less than or equal to the threshold airpressure, then the system may alert the user that the connection isfaulty. The alert may be created by a feedback device in the cabinet 10,and a feedback device may be visual (indicator lights, ceiling lights,display screens), auditory (speakers, vibrations), haptic (mechanicalvibrations, pulses), and/or the like. It will be appreciated that manyconfigurations are possible.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, if it is determined that the endoscope E hasbeen properly connected to one or more required airflow outputs 72, 74,the local control device 30 (or a central computing device orcontroller) may initiate a drying process according to the dryingprotocol for the endoscope E by causing one or more of the dryingmanifolds 70 a, 70 b to activate an airflow from the one or morerequired airflow outputs 72, 74. The drying protocol may be initiatedafter it is determined that the user has closed a door 18 of the cabinet10. The drying protocol may be held for initiation until it isdetermined that the door 18 has been closed and/or the locking mechanism82 has been engaged. It will be appreciated that many configurations arepossible.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , and in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the cabinet 10 may run a full system scan formore than one endoscope E and determine the drying protocols for eachendoscope E, particularly according to their position in the cabinet 10.For a cabinet 10 configured in a wider endoscope tracking system ofother cabinets, storage arrangements, and/or reprocessing systems,additional antennas and computing devices may be positioned on othermachines, storage devices, throughout the room, etc., to track thesignal emitting member of an endoscope. Tracking may be coordinatedthrough communication between multiple computing devices, or it may bemanaged by a central computing device. As such, location data (e.g.,detected proximity to a known location, absolute coordinates orpositioning, and/or the like) may be generated as a signal emittingmember and, therefore, its associated endoscope, is moved through thestorage and reprocessing environment(s). If the location data indicatesa signal emitting member was detected at a reprocessing system prior toarriving for storage at the cabinet 10, the system may determine thatthe endoscope has been cleaned. If the location data does not include adetection at a reprocessing system after use of the endoscope and priorto arriving at the cabinet 10, the system may determine that theendoscope has not been cleaned. In response to determining that anendoscope has not been cleaned, a notification may be emitted at thedrying cabinet, e.g., a warning displayed on a computer interface, avariation in the color or intensity of lighting elements, a sound oraudio warning broadcast from speakers, and/or the like. If it ispresumed or detected that an endoscope has been placed within thecabinet 10 and has not been cleaned, the locking mechanism 82 of thedrying cabinet 10 may be engaged to prevent the cabinet 10 from beingopened until a personnel can come and rectify the situation (e.g.,remove all scopes, sterilize cabinet, reprocess scopes, etc.). Manyconfigurations are possible.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-4 , the cabinet 10 may be accessedthrough the use of a PIN-number, a user account/password combination,validation of a user through the use of a radio frequency embeddedidentification card (typically HID or barcode), etc. Additionally,biometric identification, such as finger and/or thumb print, eye-irisand retina scanning, and similar authentication and authorizationtechniques and methodologies can be used. Further, the cabinet 10 may beequipped with a barcode reader for use in obtaining data, such aspatient EMR or account numbers, which represent unique identification ofthe patient and/or the visit. Some or all of these data receiving andprocessing devices and components can interface with the local controldevice 30, as well as some other remote or centrally located controldevice. Still further, a local control device 30, or any of these otherelectrical components and data gathering devices, may be integrated withor otherwise interfaced with the hospital computer systems and network.The local control device 30 (or remotely-situated central computingdevice or controller) may allow the user to manage the system inprocess, such as through a visual display device 80. The visual displaydevice 80 may be a touch screen for use in interacting with the cabinet10, and may swing with the door 18 to provide full access to the innerarea 20, as well as convenient access to the visual display device 80.As discussed, certain additional data receiving devices, such as in aRFID reader or a barcode reader, may be integrated with the cabinet 10to permit only authorized access and/or beneficial functionality, e.g.,patient selection. Certain standard “buttons” may be provided for anyoneto appropriately locate a particular endoscope E or obtain an inventoryof the cabinet 10, even if the user is not logged into the trackingsystem.

Accordingly, and in the foregoing non-limiting embodiments or aspectsdescribed above, the endoscope tracking system may include theappropriate computing devices and components in order to process signalsemitted from a signal emitting member 12, data associated with thesesignals, etc., and this information is used to identify one or moreattributes associated with a particular endoscope E. This data may alsobe transmitted by a local control device 30 of any number of cabinets10. Of course, as discussed above, other components and portions of theoverall process, e.g., the disinfection machines, the reprocessingstation, etc., may also produce data that is tracked or otherwisecaptured and processed within the endoscope tracking system.Accordingly, the one or more attributes that are tracked and processedmay include endoscope data, disinfection stage data, disinfection devicedata, damage data, cleaning data, use data, associated user/personneldata (e.g., which staff members have interacted with a scope),associated patient data (e.g., which patients have had procedures usingthe scope), location data, alert data, time data, or the like. Moreover,tracked endoscope E attributes may include any number of aspects aboutassociated drying protocols and cleansing/reprocessing protocols,including: air pressure, temperature, humidity, time of entry, time ofwithdrawal, location of check-in, duration of processing/drying,duration of storage after drying, and/or the like. In this manner,meaningful scope history data can be produced through such integratedtracking systems, which is useful to prevent bacterialoutbreaks/cross-contamination by identifying how contaminated scopeswere used, to reduce/even out wear on scopes by identifying which scopesare being over/under-used, to identify which scopes have not beenproperly cleaned/dried or need to be reprocessed due to excessshelf-time, and to prevent inventory loss.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the endoscope trackingsystem may include a central control device that is in direct orindirect communication with the storage cabinets 10, the reprocessingstation, the disinfection machines, directly with the signal emittingmember 12, the signal receiving device 24, or any other component withinthe overall system and arrangement. Accordingly, it may be this centralcontrol device that is supportive of or enables the generation of theinitial correlation between a specific signal emitting member 12 and aspecific endoscope E.

Further, and within the context of the non-limiting embodiments oraspects of the endoscope tracking system, the local control device 30may be in the form of a local computing device that is positioned on ornear the cabinet 10, which is configured to communicate and control oneor more of the components of the cabinet 10. In addition, the centralcontrol device may be in the form of a remote central control devicethat is in communication with the local computing device of each of thecabinets 10. Of course, this central control device may be local to oneor more of the cabinets 10, and may constitute the primary controller toengage in the communication with and processing of signals derived fromthe signal emitting members 12 or other portions of the overall processand arrangement.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred and non-limiting embodiments, it is to beunderstood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that thedisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on thecontrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangementsthat are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Forexample, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplatesthat, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment canbe combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A forced-air drying cabinet comprising: an innerarea accessible by at least one door; at least one signal receivingdevice positioned in the inner area; a local control device comprisingat least one processor; at least one drying manifold comprising at leastone compressor; at least one airflow output connected to the at leastone drying manifold; at least one support arrangement configured tosupport at least one endoscope in the inner area, the at least onesupport arrangement associated with the at least one airflow output; andat least one visual indicator associated with the at least one supportarrangement; wherein the at least one processor is configured to:receive, via the at least one signal receiving device, at least onesignal from at least one signal emitting member attached to orassociated with the at least one endoscope; determine at least onedrying protocol for the at least one endoscope based at least partiallyon the at least one signal; identify the at least one supportarrangement to support the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one drying protocol; control the at least onevisual indicator associated with the at least one support arrangement todirect personnel attention to the at least one support arrangement; andinitiate at least one drying process according to the at least onedrying protocol for the at least one endoscope by causing the at leastone compressor to create at least one airflow from the at least oneairflow output through the at least one endoscope.
 2. The forced-airdrying cabinet of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to determine that the at least one door has been closed, andwherein, when initiating the at least one drying process, the at leastone processor is further configured to: initiate the at least one dryingprocess at least partially in response to determining that the at leastone door has been closed.
 3. The forced-air drying cabinet of claim 2,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determinethat the at least one endoscope has been connected to the at least oneairflow output, and wherein, when initiating the at least one dryingprocess, the at least one processor is further configured to: initiatethe at least one drying process at least partially in response todetermining that the at least one endoscope has been connected to the atleast one airflow output.
 4. The forced-air drying cabinet of claim 3,wherein, when determining that the at least one endoscope has beenconnected to the at least one airflow output, the at least one processoris configured to: cause the at least one compressor to temporarilyactivate airflow through the at least one airflow output; determine atleast one air pressure at the at least one airflow output duringtemporary activation of the at least one compressor; compare the atleast one air pressure to at least one predetermined threshold airpressure; and in response to the at least one air pressure being greaterthan or equal to the at least one predetermined threshold air pressure,determining that the at least one endoscope has been connected to the atleast one airflow output.
 5. The forced-air drying cabinet of claim 3,wherein the at least one drying manifold comprises an upper dryingmanifold and a lower drying manifold, the upper drying manifold beingpositioned in the inner area above the lower drying manifold, whereinthe at least one airflow output comprises at least one upper airflowoutput and at least one lower airflow output, the at least one upperairflow output being connected to the upper drying manifold and the atleast one lower airflow output being connected to the lower dryingmanifold, and wherein, when determining that the at least one endoscopehas been connected to the at least one airflow output, the at least oneprocessor is configured to: determine that a first end of the at leastone endoscope has been connected to the at least one upper airflowoutput and that a second end of the at least one endoscope has beenconnected to the at least one lower airflow output.
 6. The forced-airdrying cabinet of claim 1, wherein the at least one support arrangementcomprises at least two support arrangements of different configurationsassociated with at least two different types of endoscope, and wherein,when identifying the at least one support arrangement, the at least oneprocessor is configured to: determine a configuration of supportarrangement required for the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one signal; and identify the at least onesupport arrangement at least partially based on the configuration. 7.The forced-air drying cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a visualdisplay device positioned in or on the at least one door, and whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to: track at least oneduration of the at least one endoscope being in the forced-air dryingcabinet; and control the visual display device to provide at least oneremaining drying time for the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one drying protocol and the at least oneduration of the at least one endoscope being in the forced-air dryingcabinet.
 8. A system comprising: a forced-air drying cabinet comprising:an inner area accessible by at least one door; at least one signalreceiving device positioned in the inner area; at least one dryingmanifold comprising at least one compressor; at least one airflow outputconnected to the at least one drying manifold; at least one supportarrangement configured to support at least one endoscope in the innerarea, the at least one support arrangement associated with the at leastone airflow output; and at least one visual indicator associated withthe at least one support arrangement; and a local control devicecomprising at least one processor, the local control device associatedwith the forced-air drying cabinet, and the at least one processorconfigured to: receive, via the at least one signal receiving device, atleast one signal from at least one signal emitting member attached to orassociated with the at least one endoscope; determine at least onedrying protocol for the at least one endoscope based at least partiallyon the at least one signal; identify the at least one supportarrangement to support the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one drying protocol; control the at least onevisual indicator associated with the at least one support arrangement todirect personnel attention to the at least one support arrangement; andinitiate at least one drying process according to the at least onedrying protocol for the at least one endoscope by causing the at leastone compressor to create at least one airflow from the at least oneairflow output through the at least one endoscope.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one processor is further configured todetermine that the at least one door has been closed, and wherein, wheninitiating the at least one drying process, the at least one processoris further configured to: initiate the at least one drying process atleast partially in response to determining that the at least one doorhas been closed.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to determine that the at least oneendoscope has been connected to the at least one airflow output, andwherein, when initiating the at least one drying process, the at leastone processor is further configured to: initiate the at least one dryingprocess at least partially in response to determining that the at leastone endoscope has been connected to the at least one airflow output. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein, when determining that the at least oneendoscope has been connected to the at least one airflow output, the atleast one processor is configured to: cause the at least one compressorto temporarily activate airflow through the at least one airflow output;determine at least one air pressure at the at least one airflow outputduring temporary activation of the at least one compressor; compare theat least one air pressure to at least one predetermined threshold airpressure; and in response to the at least one air pressure being greaterthan or equal to the at least one predetermined threshold air pressure,determining that the at least one endoscope has been connected to the atleast one airflow output.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the atleast one drying manifold comprises an upper drying manifold and a lowerdrying manifold, the upper drying manifold being positioned in the innerarea above the lower drying manifold, wherein the at least one airflowoutput comprises at least one upper airflow output and at least onelower airflow output, the at least one upper airflow output beingconnected to the upper drying manifold and the at least one lowerairflow output being connected to the lower drying manifold, andwherein, when determining that the at least one endoscope has beenconnected to the at least one airflow output, the at least one processoris configured to: determine that a first end of the at least oneendoscope has been connected to the at least one upper airflow outputand that a second end of the at least one endoscope has been connectedto the at least one lower airflow output.
 13. The system of claim 8,wherein the at least one support arrangement comprises at least twosupport arrangements of different configurations associated with atleast two different types of endoscope, and wherein, when identifyingthe at least one support arrangement, the at least one processor isconfigured to: determine a configuration of support arrangement requiredfor the at least one endoscope based at least partially on the at leastone signal; and identify the at least one support arrangement at leastpartially based on the configuration.
 14. The system of claim 8, whereinthe forced-air drying cabinet further comprises a visual display devicepositioned in or on the at least one door, and wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: track at least one duration of theat least one endoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet; andcontrol the visual display device to provide at least one remainingdrying time for the at least one endoscope based at least partially onthe at least one drying protocol and the at least one duration of the atleast one endoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet.
 15. Acomputer program product comprising at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of a local control device associated with aforced-air drying cabinet, the at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium including program instructions that, whenexecuted by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:receive, via at least one signal receiving device positioned in an innerarea of the forced-air drying cabinet accessible by at least one door ofthe forced-air drying cabinet, at least one signal from at least onesignal emitting member attached to or associated with at least oneendoscope; determine at least one drying protocol for the at least oneendoscope based at least partially on the at least one signal; identifyat least one support arrangement of the forced-air drying cabinet tosupport the at least one endoscope based at least partially on the atleast one drying protocol, the at least one support arrangementassociated with at least one airflow output connected to at least onedrying manifold of the forced-air drying cabinet; control at least onevisual indicator of the forced-air drying cabinet associated with the atleast one support arrangement to direct personnel attention to the atleast one support arrangement; and initiate at least one drying processaccording to the at least one drying protocol for the at least oneendoscope by causing at least one compressor of the at least one dryingmanifold to create at least one airflow from the at least one airflowoutput through the at least one endoscope.
 16. The computer programproduct of claim 15, wherein the program instructions further cause theat least one processor to determine that the at least one door of theforced-air drying cabinet has been closed, and wherein the programinstructions that cause the at least one processor to initiate the atleast one drying process cause the at least one processor to: initiatethe at least one drying process at least partially in response todetermining that the at least one door has been closed.
 17. The computerprogram product of claim 16, wherein the program instructions furthercause the at least one processor to determine that the at least oneendoscope has been connected to the at least one airflow output, andwherein the program instructions that cause the at least one processorto initiate the at least one drying process cause the at least oneprocessor to: initiate the at least one drying process at leastpartially in response to determining that the at least one endoscope hasbeen connected to the at least one airflow output.
 18. The computerprogram product of claim 17, wherein the program instructions that causethe at least one processor to determine that the at least one endoscopehas been connected to the at least one airflow output cause the at leastone processor to: cause the at least one compressor to temporarilyactivate airflow through the at least one airflow output; determine atleast one air pressure at the at least one airflow output duringtemporary activation of the at least one compressor; compare the atleast one air pressure to at least one predetermined threshold airpressure; and in response to the at least one air pressure being greaterthan or equal to the at least one predetermined threshold air pressure,determining that the at least one endoscope has been connected to the atleast one airflow output.
 19. The computer program product of claim 15,wherein the program instructions that cause the at least one processorto identify the at least one support arrangement cause the at least oneprocessor to: determine a configuration of support arrangement requiredfor the at least one endoscope based at least partially on the at leastone signal; and identify the at least one support arrangement at leastpartially based on the configuration.
 20. The computer program productof claim 15, wherein the program instructions further cause the at leastone processor to: track at least one duration of the at least oneendoscope being in the forced-air drying cabinet; and control a visualdisplay device of the forced-air drying cabinet to provide at least oneremaining drying time for the at least one endoscope based at leastpartially on the at least one drying protocol and the at least oneduration of the at least one endoscope being in the forced-air dryingcabinet.